Elongated golf-club grip

ABSTRACT

The present invention discloses a golf club manufactured with an elongated grip that extends down the length of the shaft. The elongated grip allows the golfer to assume a more comfortable choked down hand position which in turn will promote better choked down golf shots and thus better control of non-standard distances. The grip can be of uniform or varying thickness and have a length selected by the golfer to correspond to his preferred choked down hand positions. The present invention also discloses and promotes the use of a set of two or more golf clubs designed to produce distance differentials that exceed those that come with traditional sets.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application claims priority to U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 60/334,567 filed Nov. 30, 2001, the teachings of whichare hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention is directed to the field of golf clubs andtheir use, manufacture and modification.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] In their set of fourteen clubs, most (but not all) golfers carryten irons, three woods, and a putter. Full swing standard distance goalsfor male golfers might look like the following: TABLE 1 Distance Club(yards) Distance diff. Loft (degrees) Loft diff. Driver 255 N/A 9 N/A3-wood 235 20 13 4 5-wood 215 20 17 4 2-iron 195 N/A 19 N/A 3 185 10 223 4 175 10 25 3 5 165 10 28 3 6 155 10 32 4 7 145 10 36 4 8 135 10 40 49 125 10 44 4 Wedge 115 10 48 4 Sand Wedge 85 30 58 10

[0004] Traditionally, sets of golf club irons have been designed toproduce approximately 10 yards difference in the distance betweenconsecutive clubs, especially between the numbered clubs. In the setdescribed in Table 1, the 10 yard distance differential is maintainedfor clubs from the 2-iron to the wedge. While manufacturers varysomewhat in their specifications, in a modern set, the loft on atraditional wedge is approximately 48 degrees and decreases to about 19degrees for the 2-iron (with 4 degree differentials standard for mostclubs and then 3 or less for the longer, i.e. lower numbered, clubs).(Lofts on woods and irons mean different things and therefore loftdifferentials between woods and irons are not particularly meaningful).The 5-iron traditionally is approximately 38 inches long and the clubhead weighs approximately 233 grams. Longer (shorter) clubstraditionally increase (decrease) in length by ½ inch per club anddecrease (increase) by 7 grams per club.

[0005] The sand wedge is the outlier. As shown, it can have a 30 yarddistance gap and a 10 degree loft gap. The distance gap between thewedge and sand wedge often poses a problem for golfers. Recognizing thisgap problem, club makers have introduced “gap wedges” with lofts rangingfrom 50 to 57 degrees; however, adding this to a traditional setrequires sacrificing another club (usually the third wood or the 2-iron)in the set in order to meet the 14 club rule of the USGA.

[0006] The three woods would usually include a Driver, 3-wood and a5-wood, although other combinations are possible (e.g. a Driver, a4-wood and a 7-wood, etc.). Depending upon the strength and skill of thegolfer, the woods would be put to work spanning distances from 200-250or more yards and typically would have between 10 and 25 yards ofdifferential in distance between consecutive wood clubs. Driverstypically weigh approximately 200 grams and have a length of 44 to 46inches. Other woods are typically shorter and weigh slightly more.

[0007] The final club in the set would be a putter.

[0008] Golfers grip their clubs using three primary grips: interlocking,overlapping or baseball. In each of these grips, the hands arepositioned in a contiguous unit (i.e. the hands are touching) with theinterlocking and overlapping grips having 9 fingers forming the grip andthe baseball grip having 10 fingers forming the grip.

[0009] Non-standard distances produced by wood and/or iron clubs (e.g.118 yards which is between the wedge and 9-iron, or 225 yards which isbetween the full swing distance of the 3 and 5-wood) and those of lessthan 85 yards (the full swing distance of the sand wedge in this set)typically are achieved in one of three ways (or in some combination ofthe three): by taking a partial swing with a club, by altering the force(either decreasing or increasing relative to “normal”) of the swing, orby “choking down” on the shaft of the club thereby shortening theeffective length of the shaft and, usually, decreasing distance. Thefirst two methods require exquisite touch. Because wood and iron gripsare approximately 10½ inches long, the latter choking down method oftenrequires the golfer to grip the club partially on the grip and partiallyon the exposed shaft thereby altering feel and potentially accuracy.

[0010] Therefore, there is a need for the development of a golf club anda set of golf clubs that allow for a comfortable and effective chokeddown hand position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The present invention discloses an elongated golf club grip thatextends down the length of the shaft and its use in designing golf clubs(wood and irons) that are better suited for choked down hand positionsand in designing sets of two or more golf clubs having distancedifferentials between clubs that exceed those of traditional design. Inmultiple embodiments, the grip can extend more than eleven inches downthe shaft, can extend to a specific point above the club head on eachclub, for example 16 to 20 inches above the club head and preferably 18,or can extend to a length that allows for entirely separate handpositions. When installed as part of a golf club, the inventiveelongated grip allows the golfer to assume a more comfortable chokeddown hand position which in turn will promote better choked down golfshots and thus better control of non-standard distances and in turnbetter golf scores. In preferred embodiments, the grip is integral tothe club in that it is not applied over a pre-existing grip and can beof uniform or varying thickness and have a length selected by the golferto correspond to his preferred choked down hand positions.

[0012] In one aspect, the invention provides a golf club that can becomfortably used in a choked down position. The golf club is adapted toallow a golfer to choke down on the golf club so as to provide for atleast one alternative golf club swing option. For example, the inventivegolf clubs allow a golfer to comfortably utilize an alternative golfclub swing option comprising a hand position on the golf club that isseparate from the hand position for a traditional golf club swing butwhich retains a chosen grip feel and which facilitates a consistentaverage distance range for a full swing.

[0013] In another aspect, the invention provides a set of golf clubs forimproved golf play, comprising at least two golf clubs with elongatedgrips, wherein an average distance range differential for a full swingbetween consecutive clubs of the golf club set is at least 12 yardsbetween any consecutive pair of golf clubs in the set.

[0014] The invention further provides methods of using inventive golfclubs and golf club sets as well as other items and methods specified inthe appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0015] The invention is described with reference to the several figuresof the drawing, in which:

[0016]FIG. 1 illustrates an iron golf club and a wood golf club with anelongated grip;

[0017]FIG. 2 illustrates a set of wood and iron golf clubs with equallength elongated grips;

[0018]FIG. 3 illustrates a set of wood and iron golf clubs withelongated grips that extend to a constant distance from the club head;

[0019]FIG. 4 illustrates a set of wood and iron golf clubs withincreased incremental loft and distance differentials;

[0020]FIG. 5 illustrates multiple hand positions on an elongated grip;and

[0021]FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrates various embodiments of gripthicknesses.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] As noted above, the present invention provides an elongated golfclub grip that extends down the length of the shaft and its use indesigning golf clubs (wood and irons) that are better suited for chokeddown hand positions and in designing sets of two or more golf clubshaving distance differentials between clubs that exceed those oftraditional design.

[0023] I have designed a new set of clubs with the followingcharacteristics: TABLE 2 Distance Club (yards) Distance diff. Loft(degrees) Loft diff. Driver 255 N/A 9 N/A 3-wood 235 20 13 4 5-wood 21520 17 4 2-iron 195 N/A 21 N/A 3½ 180 15 25 4 5 165 15 30 5 6½ 150 15 355 8 135 15 40 5 9½ 120 15 46 6 Wedge1 105 15 52 6 Wedge2 90 15 58 6Wedge3 75 15 64 6 Wedge4 60 15 70 6

[0024] It should be noted that the lofts and associated distances inthis set do not coincide precisely with those of a standard set such asthat described in Table 1 (see, e.g. the 2-iron). This is partly aresult of my having varied other club parameters (e.g. shaft length andclub head weight). The distance differences occur primarily by alteringthe lofts on these clubs relative to those of a traditional set andemploying larger loft differentials (in the example 6, 5 and 4 degreedifferentials). This new set of clubs spans a wider range of distancesfor full swings (60 yards to 195 yards). It also maintains equal (e.g.15 yard) full swing yardage differentials between clubs and avoids thegap that exists between the sand wedge in the traditional set and thewedge in the traditional set. All wedges in this set can be used out ofthe sand.

[0025] While avoiding the gap problem, this alternative set exacerbatesthe problem of achieving intermediate distances and is particularlysuited for the choking down method. However, traditional grips aredesigned to be approximately 10½ inches long to accommodate two hands ina single hand position, and are traditionally the same length for eachclub. (See Appendix I for a description of grips by Staten Island Golf;and Appendix II for a description of golf club design considerations byHorizon Precision Custom Golf Clubs). Choking down therefore results inpart or all of at least one hand (the right hand for a right handedgolfer) being placed on bare shaft which affects the feel andpotentially the accuracy of the shot. As will be described, theinventive grips are therefore particularly useful with this modifiedclub set.

[0026] Certain techniques are currently available for extending golfclub grips. Such techniques generally involve a covering or sleeveapplied over the grip after manufacture. (See, for example, U.S. Pat.Nos. 6,036,607 to Finegan and 5,626,527 to Eberlein). Such grips,however, are generally used for training purposes and often do notsatisfy the requirements of the United States Golf Association (USGA).Appendix II of the USGA 2000 Rules, part 3 states that the grip forclubs, other than putters, must be circular in cross-section and “may betapered but must not have any bulge or waist.” The grips disclosed inthe patents to Finnegan and Eberlein do not satisfy these requirements.The present invention provides improved golfing equipment that satisfiesUSGA requirements, particularly an elongated golf club grip thatfacilitates a comfortable and effective swing in a choked down position.

[0027] Referring now to the figures of the drawing, the figuresconstitute a part of this specification and illustrate exemplaryembodiments to the invention. It is to be understood that in someinstances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated orenlarged to facilitate an understanding of the invention.

[0028]FIG. 1 illustrates an example wood 20 and an iron 30 golf clubeach with an integral elongated grip 10 that extends down the length ofthe golf club shaft. The term integral is used to refer to the fact thatthe elongated grip is not a covering or sleeve applied over apre-existing golf club grip. In multiple embodiments, the elongated grip10 could be installed at the manufacturing stage of the golf club orcould be a replacement grip installed at the direction of the user afterthe manufacture of the golf club. The elongated grip 10 is long enoughto accommodate two hands when the hand closest to the golfer during agolf swing is not positioned directly at or very near to (i.e. withinone inch of) the edge of the free end of the shaft. In one embodiment,the grip extends anywhere from 11 to 24 inches from the free end of theshaft and preferably 12 to 18 inches, and most preferably 15 to 16inches from the free end of the shaft.

[0029] Elongated grips do not currently exist for irons and woods (thereare specialized grips for putters that can extend beyond normal length,but these are not used by irons and woods as they frequently only meetUSGA requirements for putters). Club makers are very concerned by theeffect of the grip on the overall weight of the club, the balance of theclub (i.e. swing weight, etc.), and the flex of the shaft. Elongatingthe grip would add to the overall weight, decrease the swing weight, andpotentially stiffen the shaft. Additionally, golfers using traditionalsets of clubs infrequently engage in a choked down hand position, and ifthey do, it is only by choking down a short distance.

[0030] A set of clubs involving wider distance differentials, forexample 12-20 yards between consecutive clubs (see Table 2), would callfor more frequent use of choke down shots. Elongated grips could bedesigned to minimize effects on weight, balance and shaft stiffness,among others. Such techniques are generally known to those of ordinaryskill in the art and could include: the use of lighter materials, theuse of flexible materials, and air impregnation to reduce weight, amongothers. Thus, while elongated grips could be made from any materials nowused in traditional grips and could come in any size that meet USGArequirements (where the industry uses the word “size” to mean diameter),available materials could be used which could decrease the side effects.FIG. 2 illustrates a set of wood and iron golf clubs 40 with elongatedgrips 10 where the elongated grips 10 are all the same length 12. Theextended length could potentially be at least 11 inches, preferably inthe range of 11 to 24 inches, and more preferably in the range of 15 to16 inches. FIG. 3 illustrates a set of wood and iron golf clubs 40 withelongated grips 10 where the elongated grips 10 are all designed toextend to a constant distance 14 from the club head, for example 16 to20 inches above the club head and preferably 18 inches.

[0031] The inventive elongated grips may be applied to standard clubsand club sets or, alternatively, may be applied to non-standard clubs orclub sets like the set described in Table 2. FIG. 4 illustrates a set ofnon-standard golf clubs 50 that have been modified to produce increasedincremental ranges through the use of modified loft angles 52 such asthose shown in Table 2. The grips on these golf clubs could potentiallybe standard grips or elongated grips 10 as shown in the embodiments ofFIGS. 2 and 3.

[0032]FIG. 5 illustrates an elongated golf club grip 10 and variousexamples of choked down hand positions. Position 1 is a standard handposition on a grip while Positions 2 and 3 are choked down handpositions. Positions 2 and 3 exemplify a range of possible handpositions down the length of the shaft. This range of hand positionsallows a golfer to hit various average intermediate distances betweensequential clubs. For example, using a 5 iron, a golfer may hit anaverage of 165 yards when the golfer's hands are in Position 1 but mayhit an average of 160 yards when his hands are in Position 2 and 155yards when in Position 3. Alternatively, a golfer may find, as I have,that instead of trying to achieve such fine tuning, it is usuallysufficient to use a choked down hand position approximately midwaybetween Positions 2 and 3 thereby approximating a middle distance.

[0033] One area where the present invention will be particularlyeffective is in chipping where choking down on the shaft, often by asubstantial amount, is more common. Improved chipping would lead toimproved golf scores. Another area where the present invention would beof particular benefit is putting with wood clubs using a choked downhand position (usually undertaken from off the fringe of the green).Improved putting would lead to improved golf scores.

[0034] In another embodiment, the hand position of Position 2 may notoverlap at all with the hand position in Position 1 indicating that theelongated grip is of such a length as to allow for at least two entirelyseparate and distinct hand positions for a person of average hand size.The elongated grip can be made with standardized identifying marks 16for average hand positions so a golfer may consistently hold the club inthe same place when choking down various amounts. Alternatively, theelongated grip can be made of such a material so as to allow the golferto easily mark his or her various individualized hand positions on thegrip.

[0035] An elongated grip provides a means for maintaining the proper“feel” of a golf club even when the golfer chooses to choke down on thegolf club. With an elongated grip, a golfer may decide to choke down ona golf club without experiencing the negative effects, such as grippingexposed shaft, that such a hand position might have when using anordinary golf club. In addition, golfers are often very particular aboutthe diameter size of their grip. An elongated grip allows for a golferto continue to use a grip of desired size even when engaging in a chokeddown hand position. On a traditional golf club, the golf club shaftunderlying the grip often tapers. FIG. 6A illustrates one embodiment inwhich the elongated grip 10 is selected to be of uniform thickness 4 soas maintain the natural taper of the shaft. FIG. 6B illustrates anotherembodiment in which the elongated grip 10 has a non-uniform thickness,as illustrated by thicknesses 6 and 8, such that overall the grip andshaft maintain a constant thickness. The golfer may also select athickness of the elongated grip to modify the taper of the shaftaccording to his or her preference as long as the result coincides withUSGA rules.

[0036] The golfer may independently select the length of an elongatedgrip for individual clubs. For example, a golfer may prefer one griplength for a 5-iron and another for a 9-iron so as to correspond withhis preference for choked down hand positions. The grips may also bechosen in standardized packages in which the grips are all of the samelength 12 (see FIG. 2). Alternatively, a set of elongated grips may beof such lengths as to extend to the same fixed position 14 on any club(see FIG. 3).

[0037] Although it is possible to extend the grip all the way down theshaft, the lie characteristic of a golf club means that after a pointthere is a quickly diminishing return to added grip length. That is, allgolf clubs heads are attached to a shaft at an angle towards the golfercalled the lie angle. Shorter clubs have greater lie angles - that is,they are held on a steeper angle than are longer clubs. As a golferchokes down on the shaft he will usually increase the effective lieangle. When the effective lie angle deviates enough from themanufacturers intended lie angle, the flight pattern of the ball will beaffected. Steepening the effective lie tends to cause the ball to fly tothe right of target. Thus, as one chokes down on the club it may benecessary to slightly alter one's aim. The alteration required becomesincreasingly significant the more the club is shortened by choking down.(See Appendix III for a description of design characteristics for golfclubs and grip installation by Clark Systems Custom Golf).

[0038] One thing that might be done to reduce the effect of the lieangle that results with a choked down hand position is to intentionallyhave the clubs be slightly “flat” (e.g. slightly too little lie) attheir full length position. This would imply that the effective lie ofthe choked down club would not be as great.

[0039] The present invention could be combined with other methods anddevices developed by the inventor for improving golf play. For example,U.S. Ser. No. 09/248,515 entitled “Golf Club and Method of Design”discloses a golf club utilizing the design of a lean angle to allow thegolfer to customize the relationship between design and effective loft.U.S. Ser. No. 09/295,913 entitled “System for Optimization of GolfClubs”discloses a method of designing a matched set of golf clubs which takesinto account both objective parameters which control the motion of thegolf ball in response to an impact from a club head, and subjectiveparameters related to individual preferences in “feel” andidiosyncrasies of a particular golfer's swing. U.S. Ser. No. 60/276,663entitled “Tempo Maintaining Golf Clubs” discloses a method for designinga set of golf clubs, which provide a golfer with consistent tempo andball striking quality based on the optimization of the club lengths andclub head weights of the set. The teachings of all of which are herebyincorporated by reference.

[0040] Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art from a consideration of the specification or practiceof the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specificationand examples be considered as exemplary only, with the true scope andspirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for use with an iron or wood typegolf club, comprising, an elongated grip, wherein said elongated grip isan integral part of the iron or wood type golf club and has an extendedlength.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said extended lengthcomprises at least 11 inches from a free end of a golf club shaft. 3.The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said extended length comprises a rangeof 11 to 24 inches from said free end of the golf club shaft.
 4. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein said extended length comprises extension toa range of 16 to 20 inches from a golf club head.
 5. The apparatus ofclaim 1 further comprising markings on said elongated grip to indicatealternative hand positions.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein saidelongated grip has a constant thickness.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1wherein said elongated grip has a thickness adapted to provide aconstant diameter thickness for the elongated grip together with a golfclub shaft.
 8. An iron or wood type golf club, comprising, an elongatedgrip, wherein said elongated grip is an integral part of the iron orwood type golf club and has an extended length.
 9. The golf club ofclaim 8 wherein said extended length comprises at least 11 inches from afree end of a golf club shaft.
 10. The golf club of claim 9 wherein saidextended length comprises a range of 11 to 24 inches from said free endof the golf club shaft.
 11. The golf club of claim 8 wherein saidextended length comprises extension to a range of 16 to 20 inches from agolf club head.
 12. The golf club of claim 8 further comprising markingson said elongated grip to indicate alternative hand positions.
 13. Thegolf club of claim 8 wherein said elongated grip has a constantthickness.
 14. The golf club of claim 8 wherein said elongated grip hasa thickness adapted to provide a constant diameter thickness for theelongated grip together with a golf club shaft.
 15. An iron or wood typegolf club for improved golf play, comprising: an elongated golf clubgrip adapted to allow a golfer to choke down on the iron or wood typegolf club so as to provide for at least one alternative golf club gripposition, wherein said alternative golf club grip position comprises ahand position on the elongated golf club grip that is separate from ahand position for a traditional golf club swing but which retains achosen grip feel and which facilitates a consistent average distancerange for a full swing.
 16. A set of golf clubs for improved golf play,comprising: at least two golf clubs, wherein an average distance rangedifferential for a full swing between consecutive pairs of golf clubs isat least 12 yards; and at least two elongated grips, wherein each ofsaid at least two elongated grips is an integral part of each of said atleast two golf clubs and has an extended length.
 17. The set of claim 16wherein said extended length comprises at least 11 inches from a freeend of a golf club shaft.
 18. The set of claim 17 wherein said extendedlength comprises a range of 11 to 24 inches from said free end of thegolf club shaft.
 19. The set of claim 16 wherein said extended lengthcomprises extension to a range of 16 to 20 inches from a golf club head.20. The set of claim 16 wherein said average distance range differentialis achieved by modifying at least one of the characteristics selectedfrom the group consisting of: shaft length, club head weight, loft angleand any combination thereof.
 21. The set of claim 16 wherein each ofsaid at least two elongated grips has a constant thickness.
 22. The setof claim 16 wherein each of said at least two elongated grips has athickness adapted to provide a constant diameter thickness for theelongated grip together with a golf club shaft.
 23. The set of claim 16wherein each of said at least two elongated grips has a thicknessindependently selected by a user for each of said at least two golfclubs.
 24. A set of golf clubs for improved golf play, comprising: atleast two golf clubs, wherein an average distance range differential fora full swing between consecutive pairs of golf clubs is at least 12yards.
 25. The set of claim 24 wherein said average distance rangedifferential is achieved by modifying at least one of thecharacteristics selected from the group consisting of: shaft length,club head weight, loft angle and any combination thereof.